Bayleon motioned his head toward the door. “That’s what we need to show the king and queen.” He explained everything quickly to Bastian and me before focusing back on Aidan. “I believe the lad was used as a means to get to me.”

  Aidan nodded in agreement, his forehead creased in confusion as he surveyed the ballroom. “But they didn’t attack. I could sense they were still around us, but they backed off. What concerns me is that I couldn’t make out their scent.” His eyes focused back on me. “I don’t know if they were elves, fae, or something else entirely. But I do know there was some dark magic involved.”

  Aelfric and Rhoswen were still busy talking to a group of noble elves and hadn’t noticed Bayleon and Aidan yet.

  “We brought the young elf out of the woods,” Bayleon muttered under his breath, “and have hidden him in the back of the palace for now.”

  With a heavy sigh, I set my sights on my protectors and Aidan. “Go there and I’ll bring Aelfric and Rhoswen. They should be able to identify him. I’m certain he must have family here who will be searching for him soon.”

  The three of them took their leave, but not before Aelfric and Rhoswen noticed their departure. As our eyes met, I moved toward them, the seriousness of the situation clear on my face.

  After bidding farewell to the other elves, Rhoswen intertwined her arm with Aelfric’s, her expression uneasy. I’d never seen her like this before; she was always so serene and calm. Mention of the Tyvar curse must have unsettled her greatly.

  “Did you enjoy the ball this evening, Lia?” Aelfric queried. “I hope it was to your liking.”

  “Yes, it was,” I answered, glancing at them both, “but now it’s time for you to find out why I am actually here.”

  Rhoswen’s face drained of color, her hands trembling as she clasped Aelfric’s arm. He remained stoic, his gaze intense, but the furrow of his brows betrayed his worry.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  I nodded solemnly. “We need to go outside.”

  We walked in darkness down the palace hall, the candles lining the wall barely flickering in response to our presence as we marched past. Chilly air rushed in when we exited the castle and entered the softly lit garden.

  Bayleon, Bastian, and Aidan were just off to the left, but I couldn’t see the young elf until we got closer. It was a gruesome sight, especially to see someone so young meet such a tragic end. Finally, I stepped aside and allowed Aelfric and Rhoswen to catch sight of what we wanted them to see. Rhoswen gasped, and Aelfric immediately dropped to his knees beside the young elf lying on the grass. His head was hung low and a deep sadness emanated from him. Aelfric touched the young elf’s face, sadness shadowing his expression.

  “It’s Cristo, son of Aneera and Dairion.” But when he looked up at us, his eyes were blazing. “What happened?”

  Bayleon put a hand on his sword hilt and sighed. “Magic was used to lure him out to the woods. King Aidan and I tried to get to him, but we were too late.”

  Aidan moved forward, and his power pulsed through the air around him. “I think it was an ambush; there were about a dozen men in the woods, but they ran away when we approached.”

  Aelfric rose and shook his head. “I don’t understand why this is happening; we’ve never had anything like this before.”

  “I think it’s because we’re here,” Bayleon said, nodding toward Bastian. “The same magic we felt in the mortal realm a few days ago is here, too; it’s not a coincidence.”

  “What kind of magic are you talking about?” Rhoswen asked. “Our people don’t have dark magic.”

  Bayleon cleared his throat, and I could see the hesitance on his face. “When I felt it, it called to me. It’s almost like the Tyvar’s power of seduction, only different . . . stronger. But this power enthralls men, not women.”

  Rhoswen’s body froze as if a terror swept through her. I stepped up to her and met her gaze. “It’s abundantly clear that you know something, Rhoswen. I love you like a mother, and I’ve trusted you my entire life. You lied to me earlier and I want to know why.”

  Rhoswen turned her gaze to Aelfric, and his expression shifted to understanding—his eyes had a knowing glint in them as he nodded silently at her.

  She sighed heavily. “All right. I’ll tell you everything I know. But first,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow as she looked down at the young elf’s body, “Aelfric and I need to find Aneera and Dairion and tell them their son is dead.” When her eyes met mine, tears were brimming in them, and she spoke softly. “Meet us in Aelfric’s study in an hour. I promise I’ll tell you everything.” She then cast her gaze over Aidan and back to me. “I’m assuming that’s the true reason why he’s here, to make sure I speak the truth?”

  I couldn’t bring myself to deceive her any longer, so I spoke candidly, “I only did what Elvena told me to do.”

  Rhoswen nodded, realization in her eyes. “I understand. Just be prepared for what you’re about to find out.” Her gaze then shifted to Bayleon and Bastian. “All of you.”

  Bastian and I stepped into the study, and my gaze darted around the room. Bayleon and Aidan were getting cleaned up and Aelfric and Rhoswen hadn’t shown up yet. Bastian and I were the only two in the room. Ancient books lined the walls, and paintings of ethereal creatures hung between them. The furniture was carved from dark wood, and a thick velvet rug ran across the floor. An eerie silence filled the space as I glanced around, taking in the intricate details of artifacts that had always fascinated me. The elves and their lands were part of the Land of the Fae, but it was almost like we were in a different realm.

  Bastian crept up behind me, pressing his body against mine as his arms snaked around my waist. His lips were soft and warm as they caressed the side of my neck, sending shivers of desire cascading down my skin. I melted into his touch, feeling an intense longing for him that I couldn’t ignore.

  “I wish we could have more moments alone like this,” he murmured against my ear, his breath warm and sweet.

  I smiled, leaning into him further and then turning around in his arms to wrap mine around his neck. “We will. As soon as we’re back home, you can have me anytime you want.”

  A low growl vibrated in his chest, and something deep inside me stirred with anticipation. “That might be kind of hard. What if my brother wants you at the same time?” he countered.

  His words made everything inside of me tighten. What was going to happen if they both wanted me at the same time? I couldn’t deny that the thought was exhilarating, a fantasy I’d dreamed about numerous times.

  “And what if he does?” I murmured. “What happens then?”

  His eyes blazed with unadulterated passion. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll see.” My cheeks flushed with heat and Bastian smirked as he leaned in for a kiss. “You’re killing me, Lia. I can sense your need for me.”

  His lips were electric against mine, and I moaned in pleasure as I tasted him. He pressed his hardness against me, making me want him more.

  “It looks like you need me, too,” I teased.

  A chuckle escaped his lips as he drew back and looked at me. “Always.”

  We stared at each other for a few seconds, and I wished I could lift his mask to fully see into his eyes. The last thing we needed was for Rhoswen to walk in and be taken captive by his powers of seduction. Fae royals were immune to their powers, but Rhoswen wasn’t fae; it was a risk none of us were willing to take.

  Smiling, I brushed a hand down Bastian’s cheek. “What do you think you’ll love most about being a king?” I wondered.

  His smirk widened. “Besides you being my queen?”

  That made me laugh. “Besides that. What else?”

  Bastian held me tighter and kissed me again, his expression serious. “Honestly, I never allowed myself to think about anything like that; I can’t. I’m cursed, Lia. I’m not supposed to know what love is, yet I feel it.” He brushed a hand down my cheek. “I don’t know why my brother and I were given a chance to love you, but when I felt it building inside me, I held onto it with all my might. At first, I didn’t know what it was. But then, I just knew I needed to be with you, around you, and as close to you as possible.”

  “When did you first realize you were in love with me?” I asked.

  Bastian tightened his hold around me, his answer instant. “It was ten years ago at the Winter Solstice Ball. I watched how you were passed around the dance floor with all those men wanting to catch your eye. You went through the motions, but I knew you were unhappy. I could tell you were about to explode.”

  My eyes widened. “You ended up cutting in on one of the dances. I remember that night. The guy I was dancing with was getting a little too adventurous with his hands. I was about to break every single one of his fingers.”

  Bastian laughed. “And I knew you would.”

  As I recalled that night in my mind, I couldn’t help but smile. It was the same night I started having feelings for him and Bayleon, but I did my best to ignore them. I knew nothing could ever happen between us, not with them being part of the Tyvar. The only way I knew how to get them out of my mind was to be with someone else. That was when Cas became one of my lovers. He helped for a while, but there was no pretending when Bayleon and Bastian became my protectors. I couldn’t fathom the thought of being intimate with other men when my heart clearly belonged to them.

  “I’m sorry you had to see me with other men. I never wanted to hurt you or Bayleon,” I murmured.

  Bastian shook his head. “No need to apologize. However, there were several times I wanted to rip Cas’s arms off. I thought for sure he was going to be the one you chose.”

  Footsteps sounded down the hall and Bastian let me go. We turned to face the door and when it opened, Bayleon and Aidan strolled in, dressed in clean clothes.

  Bayleon’s gaze instantly found us, and Bastian rested a hand on my back. “I’ll let you and my brother have some time.”

  Bastian strolled away toward Aidan and Bayleon stepped closer, his eyes skimming the bookshelf behind me. His long, white-blond hair was as soft as a feather, and I wanted to trace my fingers through it.

  “How many of these have you gone through?” he asked, his lips curving up ever so slightly. It was remarkable how two siblings could look alike but be entirely different. His seriousness drew me in, as did his brother’s playfulness. They were yin and yang but combined they were perfect.

  “Actually, I haven’t looked through them,” I confessed, turning to the bookshelf. “Bastian and I talked the whole time.”

  Bayleon stepped closer, his presence radiating heat against my back, and I turned to him. His eyes met mine, and I felt my heart flutter in response. Across the room, Bastian leaned against the wall watching us, a hint of longing in his gaze. Aidan was speaking to him but his focus was on me.

  “What did you two talk about?” Bayleon asked.

  A grin spread across my face. “For starters, we talked about the Winter Solstice Ball ten years ago. It was the night I realized I had feelings for you both.” Bayleon’s lips tilted up more and I loved that I could get him to smile.

  “I wish I would’ve told you how I felt sooner.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Me too. I never would’ve wasted my time with Cas or anyone else. I feel horrible for putting you and Bastian through that.”

  Bayleon shook his head and clutched my cheeks. “Let’s leave the past in the past, Lia. All that matters is what happens between us now.” He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine in a gentle kiss. My eyes fluttered shut as I savored the feel of his touch. When I opened my eyes, we rested our foreheads together for a few blissful seconds before reluctantly stepping back.

  “How are you feeling, by the way?” I asked him, my voice barely a whisper. “Do you have any pain?”

  I knew that one night of lovemaking wasn’t going to heal the years of deprivation Bayleon and Bastian had gone through. He sighed and averted his gaze from mine.

  “It’s still there, but not like it was before.” His voice was heavy with emotion. “I fear that knowing you’re mine will only increase my desires for you. And if we don’t break this curse, I’m afraid my needs will become too much for you to handle, especially with Bastian in the equation.”

  He raised his gaze back to meet mine and even through the obscurity of the mask, the intensity of his deep blue eyes left me breathless. If he only knew how much I needed him and Bastian.

  “Being desired isn’t a bad thing, Bayleon.”

  He scoffed. “It is when it becomes too much. All I can think about is being with you—of feeling you wrapped around me.” He sighed heavily, shaking his head in frustration. “I don’t want my brother and me to hurt you.”

  I placed my hands on his cheeks and smiled reassuringly up at him. “You won’t,” I said softly. “I can handle this. And as far as the curse goes—I am going to break it. Until then,” I continued, my voice gentle, “I’ll do whatever I can to heal you both.”

  The sound of Aelfric and Rhoswen’s voices reverberated through the hallway, and I felt my pulse quicken. My breathing grew shallow as Bastian stepped up beside Bayleon and me, our eyes trained on the door. Each second felt like an eternity as I tried to prepare myself for what was coming. I didn’t know what we were about to find out, but I had to believe it would be the answers we were seeking.

  Chapter 13

  Lia

  Aelfric and Rhoswen shuffled into the study, their faces grim. I waited for Aelfric to close the door before I spoke.

  “Did you find Aneera and Dairion?”

  Rhoswen wiped a tear off her cheek and Aelfric nodded. “Yes,” he said, his voice heavy.

  “Who did you say attacked them?” I asked.

  Rhoswen expelled a sigh and gave me a swift glance, then Aidan, before returning her focus to me. “The elder elves are aware of the secrets of our kingdom. They’re just forbidden to speak of it.” Aidan glanced at me with curiosity, and even I was intrigued. Rhoswen gestured to the sofa and other chairs. “Please, sit down. This is going to be a long story.”

  Bayleon and Bastian settled on either side of me on the couch while Aidan sat in the armchair to our left. Holding hands, Aelfric and Rhoswen sat across from us, their expressions full of sorrow. Rhoswen closed her eyes and took a deep breath before meeting my gaze.

  “What I’m about to tell you was passed down to me. I have never spoken of it out loud until now.” Her words made my entire body tremble. I could sense the urgency in her tone, the hidden fear.

  “Many centuries ago,” she began, “Haleth, my grandmother from many generations back fell in love with a man named Ambrose. They were lovers for a while, but then he fell in love with her sister, Nienna.” I could only imagine where the story was about to lead. Rhoswen cleared her throat and swallowed hard. “Needless to say, Haleth wanted Ambrose and her sister to suffer for breaking her heart. So, she searched the Mystical Forest for anyone who could conjure up a revenge spell.” She shrugged. “Of course, she didn’t find anyone who would help her. At this point, she was blinded by rage and her desire for revenge. She was desperate.”

  She paused and looked over at Aelfric, who rubbed her hand reassuringly. “This was the beginning of some really dark times here in our kingdom,” he said.

  Rhoswen nodded and turned her attention back to me. “When Haleth came back, it just so happened that word had spread to a certain group of people who could help her.”

  My pulse started to pound. “Who?” I demanded, totally immersed in the story.

  Rhoswen blew out a shaky breath. “Haleth was overwrought with so much anger that she contemplated ending her own life. She walked right out into the lake and was set on drowning herself when someone appeared.” I was on the edge of my seat with the suspense. Rhoswen leaned forward in her seat, her eyes directly on mine. “It was a siren, Lia. A very powerful being named Diawen.”

  My eyes shot over to Aidan, who sat utterly still, his mouth slightly agape. I knew of sirens, of course. They were talked about in stories just like werewolves and vampires—creatures that roamed the mortal realm, not the Land of the Fae. But as I looked at Bayleon and Bastian, I could tell they possessed a similar power of seduction, only they hypnotized females. Sirens were known for hypnotizing males.

  Puzzled and confused, I glanced back at Rhoswen. “But how?” I asked. “Sirens live in the mortal world. Not here.”

  Rhoswen shook her head. “They weren’t born here; they say they found their way over centuries ago. Our kingdom was their home; they lived in Glimmerglass Lake on the far east side of our land. Only the royal family knew of their existence.”

  Taking a deep breath, I processed this new information. It was a lot to take in and I had a feeling there was a ton more I was about to find out. Rhoswen looked down at the floor, a distant expression on her face.

  “My ancestors promised the sirens they could stay here, thinking they’d be able to control them.” Her gaze shifted back to me. “But they were wrong. The sirens were too powerful.”

  “Are they still here?” I asked.

  Rhoswen shook her head. “No. They haven’t been for a long time. Glimmerglass Lake disappeared before I was born, and I still don’t know why. Since the sirens live in water, they had to leave. They can walk on land for a short period of time, but that’s it. We have other places with bodies of water, but there have been no signs of the sirens.”

  “Until now,” I added quietly.

  She looked down sadly in response. “Until now.”

  Bayleon shifted beside me, his shoulders stiff. “How does this all connect to the Tyvar?”

  Rhoswen raised her head and exhaled deeply. “Before Haleth could drown herself, Diawen pulled her out of the water and told her she could help. All Haleth needed to do was lure Ambrose to the lake.”

  “What did Diawen want in return?” I questioned.

  “Blood,” Rhoswen answered. “All she wanted was a drop of Haleth’s blood.”